By leaps and bounds

Many corporations are barely hanging on and facing threats of downsizing and bankruptcy, but big innovations are coming to fruition quickly and successfully.

The uncertainty of Chrysler’s future has left many auto workers unprepared to leave their jobs without an alternative means of income. Considering this situation, one laid-off Chrysler employee decided to start his own company.

John Glisman, a Chrysler employee since 1993, has developed and launched LeapNGo.com, a social utility network designed to bring people and businesses together.
LeapNGo.com was founded in 2007 by Glisman and his nephew, David Kniffen.

The pair collaborated after discussing how Kniffen wanted to create his own online social networking utility, and Glisman wanted to create an online mall.

It’s been over one year since the site was launched to the public. The innovative website offers two memberships, retail rewards programs, advertising for businesses and free advertising for non-profit organizations.

“The other thing that we’re doing that I think makes this website a world-class website, is serving non-profit organizations in the country,” Glisman said.

“Whether it’s a church, synagogue, a school, boy scouts, girl scouts, it doesn’t matter.”

While Glisman is on mandatory layoff from Chrysler, his company is growing by leaps and bounds.  The founders are now seeking independent sales representatives nationwide to sell business memberships through hiring and training seminars for full and part-time employment.

Glisman and Kniffen took on the concept of sharing the wealth and are encouraging people nationwide, including students, to join in to make extra cash on the side.

“We wanted to share it with everybody,” Glisman said. “I actually planned on sending the President of the United States a letter letting him know that we want to share the wealth with people.”

Starting a new business has its share of challenges, especially with the current economic downturn but, Glisman said, people shouldn’t become discouraged.

“In the end it’s all about you, whether or not you have the perseverance or stamina to deal with the bad times,” he said. “You never know until you try but if you try, give it your all.”